3 Things 2 Watch 4: Kentucky vs. Alabama

History is on the line for the final home game of the 2023 season at Kroger Field. Kentucky is seeking to beat Alabama for just the third time in school history. Is it possible? If the following three things go the Wildcats’ way.

Kickoff: Noon pm EST
TV: ESPN
FanDuel line: Kentucky +10.5, Total 46.5

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Explosive Runs by Kentucky RB Ray Davis

Ray Davis grabbed college football headlines through the first half of the season as one of the most explosive playmakers in college football. His nine rushes of 20+ yards are the most by a running back in the SEC. That explosiveness has been absent over the last two weeks with only one run of 10+ yards against Tennessee and Mississippi State.

Kentucky can’t beat a team like Alabama without its best players playing their best football. Kentucky has been inefficient on early downs, forcing Devin Leary into difficult obvious passing situations on third downs. The Cats need Ray Davis to get chunk plays on the ground to stay ahead of the chains and open opportunities for explosive plays out of the play-action pass game.

Aggravating Rushing Yards by Milroe

The Kentucky defense kept Mike Wright in front of them. They contained the rushing quarterback and forced him to throw the football down the field. The same approach must be taken against a much better athlete in Jalen Milroe.

The Alabama quarterback can beat you deep through the air and wiggle free for huge runs. I anticipate a performance Saturday that mirrors what Joe Milton did against the Cats: keep drives alive with aggravating scramble yards on third downs. The Cats have to get off the field any chance they get. During Kentucky’s three-game losing streak opponents converted on 46% of their third down attempts. If Milroe uses his legs to keep drives alive, it could be a long day for the Kentucky defense.

3 Things 2 Watch 4: #BBN vs. #RollTidehttps://t.co/Yf687RQPF4 pic.twitter.com/OiGWvYxpcQ

— Nick Roush (@RoushKSR) November 11, 2023

Big Game for Barion Brown?

Barion Brown has only one 100+ yard receiving game this fall and it was in his hometown of Nashville, when us caught a 55-yard pass on a double-move to set up a Kentucky touchdown. The speedy sophomore was slowed by a lingering soft tissue injury early in the season. Now he’s healthy enough to show his best stuff.

Brown’s best game as a Wildcat was against the best opponent Kentucky has faced in his time as a Wildcat. Facing future pros, Brown caught 10 passes for 145 yards and a touchdown against last year’s National Champs. Big-time players make big-time plays in big-time games. Due for a big-time performance, this feels like the right time for Brown to create some of those big-time plays against an Alabama defense that’s susceptible to giving up explosive plays.

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